Burris to Head to Senate. Armed Guards Ready

"No-drama" Barack Obama is sure to be cringing from the latest news about Roland Burris.

Burris, who was appointed by scandal-scarred Rod Blagojevich to take Obama's Senate seat, insists he doesn't want to "create a scene" when the Senate convenes next week and he, presumably, shows up for his new duties.

But no doubt there's going to be some sort of scene, and it could include guards with guns.

Chicago media outlets are reporting that Burris' lawyer is trying to force Ill. Secretary of State Jesse White to certify Blagojevich's paperwork making the appointment, even though White says he won't do it.

"Should Burris appear in Washington without that certification, armed police officers stand ready to bar him from the Senate floor, said a Democratic official briefed on Senate leaders' plans. ...Leadership also is considering the possibility of Blagojevich appearing in person to escort Burris. Ironically, the scandal-plagued governor would be allowed onto the Senate floor, because sitting governors are allowed floor privileges, while Burris would not without certification. Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero said the governor had not decided whether he will appear in Washington next week with Burris."

I would pay money to see the looks on senators' faces if/when Blagojevich himself had the gall to show up in Washington.

Two Democratic aides also told CNN that Burris will be turned away if he arrives for Tuesday's inauguration of new members.

From CNN:

"The first Democratic aide said if Burris tries to enter the Senate chamber on Tuesday, the Senate doorkeeper will stop him. If Burris were to persist, either trying to force his way onto the Senate floor or refusing to leave and causing a scene, U.S. Capitol police would stop him, the aide said. 'They [police] probably won't arrest him,' but they would call the Senate's sergeant-at-arms, the aide said."

Chicago Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet also says Burris won't even step foot into the chamber.

"Roland Burris does not want to be in the face of the senators whose ranks he hopes to join, I am told," Sweet says, adding that he's still expected to show up Monday.

"He won't get into the chamber because the Senate Democratic leadership doesn't want anyone sent by Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell Obama's seat for a plum job or campaign cash," Sweet writes. "I think Burris is underestimating how hard the Senate Democratic leaders are resisting his appointment. "

Sweet has learned the Senate will likely refer the issue to the Rules Committee, "where it will be handled as s-l-o-w-l-y as possible" to "make sure the appointment is stain-free."

While that's taking place, no doubt the Illinois House will speed up their part, moving forward with the Blagojevich impeachment proceedings. If Blagojevich is impeached sometime before February, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn would be made governor and pick Obama's successor, then the Senate could decide between Burris and the new pick.

James R. Ferguson, a former federal prosecutor with the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago and a partner at Mayer Brown LLP, outlined in The Chicago Tribune today how exactly the House should forge ahead - by "adopting a two-step procedure to streamline the impeachment process."

That procedure would be to have the House impeachment committee draft articles of impeachment based on the evidence it and the FBI has gathered - ASAP. Then, after the House has approved those articles, the Illinois Senate should convene a trial and call only one witness to testify - Blagojevich himself.

"This approach would give Blagojevich a full and fair opportunity to present his side of the story, while promoting a speedy resolution of his status," Ferguson writes. It would eliminate the need for any further investigation and narrow the issues at the trial to the credibility of the governor's explanations. If his testimony proved to be implausible-or if he invoked the 5th Amendment and refused to testify-the affidavit and other evidence would stand as unrebutted proof of corruption."

Whatever process happens, it needs to happen fast. We can't have this Senate seat up in the air, or subject Burris to whatever shenanigans may occur to keep Blagojevich's pick out of Congress. Although I don't think Burris ever should have taken the job so willingly, he likely doesn't deserve to be publicly humiliated for it.